Is Temodar being used for tumors other than anaplastic astrocytoma?
Yes – and no. There are studies of Temodar in other brain tumor types, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is more common than anaplastic astrocytoma. Temodar appears to benefit some GBM patients, but it in many cases appears to slow down or halt the growth of the tumor rather than shrink it. It has been used in low-grade tumors, including oligodendroglioma. A study is currently in progress for primary central nervous system lymphoma. Some physicians, however, are hesitant to use Temodar in patients who have a tumor other than anaplastic astrocytoma, because relatively little is known about its long-term effectiveness and side effects, compared with the older drugs. Does Temodar have advantages over other brain tumor drugs? Temodar, procarbazine, and CCNU are all oral drugs; but only Temodar and procarbazine have been compared in a study. In that study, in patients with recurrent GBM, Temodar was slightly better in effectiveness, overall survival, and side effects. Studie
